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My girlfriend recently told me about a positive HSV2 antibody test. She got one as part of a panel before we met and then went to a specialist after a positive. She has never had any symptoms at all but tested positive for antibodies. The specialist basically told her not to tell me. When she said she was seeing someone she hadn't slept with and how she should talk to him, he said, "what will you tell him? you don't know anything - you've never had a symptom all you know is that there are antibodies - without symptoms the test should not have been done and you shouldn't even know." However at least the first doctor indicated that the positive test result necessarily meant that she had HSV2 no matter what. The specialist and another doctor has indicated that she probably "fought it off" but some online sources suggest that isn't possible - that once contracted it is there forever and cannot be defeated by the immune system. I have never had any kind of sexual contact. I have a few questions that I cannot get answers to anywhere or find conflicting answers. 1.) Is it possible to have antibodies but not have the virus (that is not be contagious) Both the infectious disease specialist doctor basically said this was possible but other sources are less clear. 2.) Is there a way to test to see if she is contagious? That is, is there some way to test for virus shedding? 3.) Regardless, I assume there is a chance she has it even without outbreaks. What are my chances of contracting the virus if we have regular, protected sex (male condom) (not she has never been symptomatic so this would not be during an outbreak - we would obviously be watchful and not have sex if there ever is an outbreak).

I've really spent hours and hours searching and I cannot find reliable answers. Everything assumes at least one outbreak because even the CDC recommends against asymptomatic testing. The problem is, we shouldn't really know this problem is there, but since we do it is very frustrating not to know what this actually means in terms of risk.

Thanks for your Reply!

3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Conflicting Information on Meaning of HSV2 TestMy girlfriend recently told me about a positive HSV2 antibody test. She got one as part of a panel before we met and then went to a specialist after a positive. She has never had any symptoms at all but tested positive for antibodies. The specialist basically told her not to tell me. When she said she was seeing someone she hadn't slept with and how she should talk to him, he said, "what will you tell him? you don't know anything - you've never had a symptom all you know is that there are antibodies - without symptoms the test should not have been done and you shouldn't even know." However at least the first doctor indicated that the positive test result necessarily meant that she had HSV2 no matter what. The specialist and another doctor has indicated that she probably "fought it off" but some online sources suggest that isn't possible - that once contracted it is there forever and cannot be defeated by the immune system. I have never had any kind of sexual contact. I have a few questions that I cannot get answers to anywhere or find conflicting answers. 1.) Is it possible to have antibodies but not have the virus (that is not be contagious) Both the infectious disease specialist doctor basically said this was possible but other sources are less clear. 2.) Is there a way to test to see if she is contagious? That is, is there some way to test for virus shedding? 3.) Regardless, I assume there is a chance she has it even without outbreaks. What are my chances of contracting the virus if we have regular, protected sex (male condom) (not she has never been symptomatic so this would not be during an outbreak - we would obviously be watchful and not have sex if there ever is an outbreak).

I've really spent hours and hours searching and I cannot find reliable answers. Everything assumes at least one outbreak because even the CDC recommends against asymptomatic testing. The problem is, we shouldn't really know this problem is there, but since we do it is very frustrating not to know what this actually means in terms of risk.

Ask her to get a copy of her numeric IgG blood test and post them on here so someone can confirm her status for you. You can have HSV 2 and not get any ob's. You should get a type specific IgG blood test for HSV 1 & 2 to see what you status is and ask for a copy of numeric test results so someone can confirm your status.

Click on the Tiger and in there is the risk of Female to Male transmission.of HSV 2.

Abe ...I am not a medical professional. Read the Herpes Handbook, Watch the Video and Terri Warren's book is availible umder the Heading Herpes at http://www.westoverheights.com/

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Conflicting Information on Meaning of HSV2 TestAsk her to get a copy of her numeric IgG blood test and post them on here so someone can confirm her status for you. You can have HSV 2 and not get any ob's. You should get a type specific IgG blood test for HSV 1 & 2 to see what you status is and ask for a copy of numeric test results so someone can confirm your status.

Click on the Tiger and in there is the risk of Female to Male transmission.of HSV 2.

As mentioned, I have done research. You are not a doctor so while I appreciate your help/information I doubt you will be "confirming" results or status for me. I've browsed the other questions and while I see you have a lot of information, a copy and paste answer like this is a little insulting to my intelligence. I researched the test. She does have antibodies it was like a 5 and 7 on two tests a few months apart. However, the doctors are telling her that she is in a "grey area" and doesn't know she "has herpes" because all she knows is she has antibodies and they even advised her against telling me about these tests because she has never had an outbreak. Someone at the CDC said that if she has antibodies then she has herpes and is contagious - they basically said that outbreaks are irrelevant as far as that goes. I've researched the risks. My question is about why these doctors are telling her she shouldn't even tell me because she doesn't know she has herpes but the CDC won't confirm that. My question seems simple but no one will give me a straight answer - they all want to talk about the accuracy of the damn test. With two somewhat strong positive tests I'm not really interested in counting on two false positives in thinking through this. Are there people who test positive for antibodies but are not contagious? I don't know, maybe their body kills off or suppresses the virus effectively enough that they are not a risk? Is there a way to determine if and from where someone is shedding the virus? She has no idea where it came from or where it is. Her last boyfriend of 5 years is negative. This is the last person she slept with. Assuming I believe her, did the last boyfriend just get lucky - I know without outbreaks the risks are dramatically lower but that seems excessive - 5 years and part of that without condoms. I'm having trouble figuring this out.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Conflicting Information on Meaning of HSV2 TestAs mentioned, I have done research. You are not a doctor so while I appreciate your help/information I doubt you will be "confirming" results or status for me. I've browsed the other questions and while I see you have a lot of information, a copy and paste answer like this is a little insulting to my intelligence. I researched the test. She does have antibodies it was like a 5 and 7 on two tests a few months apart. However, the doctors are telling her that she is in a "grey area" and doesn't know she "has herpes" because all she knows is she has antibodies and they even advised her against telling me about these tests because she has never had an outbreak. Someone at the CDC said that if she has antibodies then she has herpes and is contagious - they basically said that outbreaks are irrelevant as far as that goes. I've researched the risks. My question is about why these doctors are telling her she shouldn't even tell me because she doesn't know she has herpes but the CDC won't confirm that. My question seems simple but no one will give me a straight answer - they all want to talk about the accuracy of the damn test. With two somewhat strong positive tests I'm not really interested in counting on two false positives in thinking through this. Are there people who test positive for antibodies but are not contagious? I don't know, maybe their body kills off or suppresses the virus effectively enough that they are not a risk? Is there a way to determine if and from where someone is shedding the virus? She has no idea where it came from or where it is. Her last boyfriend of 5 years is negative. This is the last person she slept with. Assuming I believe her, did the last boyfriend just get lucky - I know without outbreaks the risks are dramatically lower but that seems excessive - 5 years and part of that without condoms. I'm having trouble figuring this out.

I may not be a medical proffessional but I have been on this site for 7 years and have seen a lot of Doc.s who have misdiagnosed the resutls of wht IgG blood tests. I have lerned a lot from a nurse on this site and she had HSV 2 her self.

I really am upset with a Doc who would ttell a person that from your info seems to positive for HSV 2 to not tell a partner.

You can have HSV 2 and have no simptoms and still transmitt it to someone. That is why it spreads so much.

So if you could post your GF test results and if you ave been tested your results as well. so someone can confirm your status . And if you do not like my cookie cutter answers then that is ok with me. People come to this exchange to get help not to and people spend thier own peronal time tto help others.

Abe ...I am not a medical professional. Read the Herpes Handbook, Watch the Video and Terri Warren's book is availible umder the Heading Herpes at http://www.westoverheights.com/

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Conflicting Information on Meaning of HSV2 TestI may not be a medical proffessional but I have been on this site for 7 years and have seen a lot of Doc.s who have misdiagnosed the resutls of wht IgG blood tests. I have lerned a lot from a nurse on this site and she had HSV 2 her self.

I really am upset with a Doc who would ttell a person that from your info seems to positive for HSV 2 to not tell a partner.

You can have HSV 2 and have no simptoms and still transmitt it to someone. That is why it spreads so much.

So if you could post your GF test results and if you ave been tested your results as well. so someone can confirm your status . And if you do not like my cookie cutter answers then that is ok with me. People come to this exchange to get help not to and people spend thier own peronal time tto help others.

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